California’s WiCi Unveils Wireless eGPU with RTX 5060 Ti
California-based tech firm WiCi has introduced a groundbreaking wireless external GPU (eGPU) and enclosure. This innovation enables any Wi-Fi-connected laptop to play games leveraging an integrated Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti 16GB. While WiCi’s promotional video demonstrates its capabilities, concerns linger about range, latency, and performance limits.
Most eGPUs typically connect via high-speed interfaces like Thunderbolt 3/4/5, offering a throughput of up to 64Gbps over PCIe. However, top-tier GPUs often face performance penalties when compared to their desktop counterparts, particularly when rendering back to a laptop’s internal display.
In a strategic move, WiCi opted to launch with the RTX 5060 Ti instead of higher models like the RTX 5090. The eGPU resides in its own box, equipped with separate power and cooling systems, and connects via Wi-Fi 7, eliminating most wires except for the power source.
Performance and Connectivity Challenges
This setup aims to allow gaming on laptops, desktops, or tablets without a dedicated GPU, harnessing the eGPU’s rendering power. While the promo video appears promising, several critical questions remain regarding Wi-Fi 7’s capability. Despite having impressive specs, including a theoretical max bandwidth of 48Gbps, real-world performance may significantly fall short. Under optimal conditions with the WiCi’s 4×4 radio configuration, the effective throughput might be below 12Gbps.
If throughput is insufficient, the eGPU may struggle to fully utilize the capabilities of the 5060 Ti. Nonetheless, it could still outperform onboard GPUs and offer a more convenient experience compared to traditional wired connections.
However, the wireless nature also means that users need to be relatively close to the WiCi eGPU. Distancing may worsen bandwidth and latency, exacerbating potential interferences from walls, furniture, or other Wi-Fi signals.
Gaming Performance Observations
In internal tests, WiCi claims their system can run Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K Ultra with DLSS 4 at up to 80fps, while Black Myth: Wukong reportedly hits 60fps at 4K Cinematic with DLSS. However, they have not specified if frame generation technology was included in these results.
Future Prospects
Though the wireless setup is an exciting application of technology, its practicality may improve as wireless bandwidth and latency advance. For now, WiCi envisions its device being utilized more as a dedicated AI inferencing unit in homes, which could benefit from efficient local processing with minimal latency, making it more suitable for AI tasks than gaming.
The WiCi One is not yet available for purchase, but interested users can register to reserve one for $2,000, with a retail price of $2,600 for the RTX 5060 Ti variant. Pricing for future RTX 5090 models is yet to be determined.
Conclusion
While the concept of a wireless eGPU is intriguing and offers unique advantages, practical limitations around performance and connectivity should be carefully considered, especially for gaming applications.
